Dr Marucci was one of the faculty on the recent 2013 St Vincents Advanced Plastic Surgery Nurses Workshop held at Sydney’s St Vincents Hospital. This intensive workshop is designed for Plastic Surgery Nurses from all areas – wards, theatres & clinics – and aims to expand their knowledge and skills in plastic surgery. Dr Marucci was joined by the best plastic surgeons in Sydney teaching on the course – Dr Kevin Ho, Dr Elias Moisidis, Dr James Southwell-Keely and Dr Russell Aldred. The VAPS course is run and co-ordinated by Margaret Butler RN, Nurse Educator Perioperative Courses at St Vincents.
Dr Marucci’s hands on teaching station was on maxillofacial plating – an important aspect of the trauam services offered by Plastic Surgeons in Sydney. The station was sponsored by Stryker, and Leon Taunton (the territory manager for Stryker South Pacific) was there to showcase some very nice drill set and plating instrumentation. Nursing Unit Manager, Samantha Hill RN was also part of the maxillofacial plating station team. A lot was learned and a good time had by all.
Maxillofacial trauma is common, whether it is the result of interpersonal violence or motor vehicle accidents. The principles of treatment are wide exposure of the fracture (broken bones), accurate reduction of the fractire (making sure the bones are accurately realligned) and then rigid internal fixation (holding the bones back in the right position using plates and screws). The Nurses attending the VAPS workshop had the opportunity to perform this “surgery” on synthetic skulls.
If you are interested in attending the 2014 VAPS, please contact Margaret Butler at St Vincents Hospital – but be warned, this year’s course filled up in 3 days!